"Jihad Jane" Arrest

Printer-friendly version

A Pennsylvania woman has been charged with using the Internet to recruit jihadist fighters, help terrorists overseas and allegedly agreeing to kill a Swedish citizen.

Colleen R. LaRose of Pennsburg, Pennsylvania allegedly worked with five co-conspirators to recruit men who would carry out violent attacks and women who would assist in the jihad crimes, according to a federal indictment released Tuesday.

LaRose, who also went by the names "Fatima LaRose" and "JihadJane," allegedly began communicating via email with the co-conspirators in December 2008.

LaRose said her blonde hair, blue eyed appearance would help her "blend in" and carry out the acts.

She also left a comment on a YouTube video saying she was "desperate to do something somehow to help," the indictment said.

Her YouTube account has since been disabled.

According to the indictment, federal agents questioned LaRose in July 2009 about her online dealings.

Officials claim she denied ever using the Internet to help raise money or support terrorism.

Shortly after, she's accused of traveling to Sweden to train with jihadists.

The murder never took place and LaRose returned to the U.S. on October 15, 2009, when she was taken into custody by federal agents.